Ready, Set, GO!!!

School is in full session here at The Ruby Zebra. It's quite the adjustment from our lazy, do whatever we want Summer days. I like the structure of a good schedule...keeps me focused. I forgot how much prep work it takes to get our school work done in a proper fashion. We use workboxes and I love them, but I'm having to figure out how to use them with our new curriculum. It's coming together nicely though!

Our first day I took pictures of the kiddos and they are just super cute. Take a look for yourself!

 Cobalt {20 months}

Pinky {5 yrs}

We did some puff paint art...so fun!

We had a great first day, however today...well...IT.WAS.ROUGH. Warrior had to come home from work...yikes! That would have made me pee in my pants if my Dad would have come up to school to "correct" me. Luckily Warrior is very tender but also very direct. I pray that Pinky learned her lesson. I was not happy that I had to call him on the 4th day of school. Praying for a better tomorrow!

How do you hand discipline issues while in school time? I handle most of it but when I begin to loose my cool...it's time to call in back up.

School BEGINS!

The word excited is an understatement for how I feel about beginning the 2011-2012 school year! Pinky is beyond elated to begin, Cobalt...well he doesn't know any different :) We are are starting this Thursday {8/18}. These first 2 days are gonna be simple and fun! Lots of crafts and going over what I expect out of my kids.

The plan for the first day is:

Bible Time/Worship/Prayer
Calendar/Weather/ and we are gonna learn the pledge this year
Rules of our school year
How to use workboxes and other school items {I'm doing this now so I don't have to take time out of our normal school day to teach how to use things...now if she forgets, I will remind her}
School Pictures
School "Stats"- Height, Weight, Age, Favorite things, Goals etc.
Crafts

This year is gonna rock! Here is my printout sheet for our School Stats!

I added the eye and hair color on there because you just never know if they will change. Pinky's hair is turning darker so I just want to have it recorded when it does.

"Not" Back to School Hop: Curriculum Week

I've been away from this blog for a LONG time. We've been enjoying our Summer break, but I am SO ready to get back to a regular schedule. Being idle is not good for this naturally lazy girl!

I'm super excited to be using new curriculum this year. It's quite the learning curve for me considering this is actually my first year using curriculum. I'm loving all the planning that goes into using curriculum, but I look to the future and wonder how I am gonna do it when I have more than one kid educating at a time. That should be fun...

I'm linked up to Heart of the Matter's "Not" Back to School Blog Hop

Here's what we are doing this year 

{First Grade}

Five in a Row Volume 1

Math U See Beta

Draw Write Now Book 1

Explode the Code Book 2

{Tot School}

I'm watching a 2 year old boy so along with my almost 2 year old boy they will be doing lots of playing, games, building, and doing some sensory tubs from 1+1+1=1 and printables from Confessions of a Homeschooler

We are starting school in just a few more weeks, can't WAIT!

Thirty-One

Well, I am super excited to announce that I am a new Independent Thirty-One Consultant! If you haven't heard about this company let me tell you a little bit about it.

The name Thirty-One comes from the verses of Proverbs 31. These words may be thousands of years old, but I am constantly amazed by how today's modern woman can relate to them. Don't we all want to be strong, dignified and wise? The Proverbs 31 woman is dearly loved and respected by him and her children, yet she is an individual in her own right. She manages the home and property with kindness and integrity. her savvy business skills are partly brought about by her desire to serve others, to do good deeds and prosper.

You may know us as a company offering stylish purses, accessories and products that help organize the lives of busy women and their families. But we are more than that. We are committed to providing an opportunity for women to achieve financial freedom, find personal fulfillment and realize their dreams. 

Check out my website and let me know if you are interested in any products or have any questions! I fully believe that every homeschool Mom could use at least 1 of these products. I just love them all, and can't wait to share this with everyone! Take a look at the catalog and come back and tell me what your favorite product is or what you think you could use for you or your home.

Menu Plan Monday

We've got a little bit of a tummy bug here. So not fun anytime but especially during the Summer. Oh the heat...I think Summer forgot that it's only June not the middle of August. This week is gonna be brutal, lots of staying inside for us! How do you beat the MAJOR heat?

Who's hungry? I'm linking up with Orgjunkie.com make sure you check out all the great menus there!

Monday  B- Cereal Bars

               L- Nachos 

               D- Take-Out

Tuesday  B- Oatmeal

               L- Out

               D- Stromboli and Veggie Chips

Wednesday  B- Waffles

                    L- Cheese Quesadillas and Fruit

                    D- Dinner at Church

Thursday  B- Cereal

                L- Crackers, Cheese Sticks and Fruit

                D- Spaghetti

Friday  B- Toaster Strudel

            L- Chicken Nuggets, Veggie Chips and Apple Straws

            D- Pizza Night!

Saturday  B- Cereal

               L- PBJ, Carrots and Strawberries

               D- Tacos

Sunday  B- Pop Tarts

             L- Mac and Cheese

             D- Dinner at friends house to celebrate the 4th of July!

Have a blessed week!

Menu Plan Monday

Whew, our Summer has been CUH-RAZY! How is yours going? I thought for sure I would have a pretty relaxing Summer, but alas that has not happened yet. Oh well, my kiddos are having a blast! Pinky is going to Soccer camp next week and she couldn't be more excited. She's never played before but my Warrior is friends with the Soccer Coach at UCO and we know he will take good care of her!

Who's hungry? I'm linking up with Orgjunkie.com make sure you check out all the great menus there!

Monday  B- Cereal Bars

               L- Cheese Quesadillas and Fruit 

               D- Taco Salad

Tuesday  B- Oatmeal

               L- Out

               D- Hamburgers and Hot Dogs, Beans and Chips

Wednesday  B- Waffles

                    L- Nachos

                    D- Dinner at Church

Thursday  B- Fruit and Yogurt

                L- Crackers, Cheese Sticks and Fruit

                D- Spinach Alfredo

Friday  B- Toaster Strudel

            L- Chicken Nuggets, Veggie Chips and Apple Straws

            D- Pizza Night!

Saturday  B- Cereal

               L- PBJ, Carrots and Strawberries

               D-Leftovers

Sunday  B- Pop Tarts

             L- Grilled Cheese and Veggies

             D- BBQ Pork Sandwiches, Mashed Potatoes and Salad {with friends}

Have a blessed week!

VBS

Well, it's that time of year! Pinky is at VBS all week, so it's just me and Cobalt for 3 hours every day! That being said I will be VERY busy chasing him around and won't be able to post anything of worth. So have a good week and enjoy your time with your family!

Menu Plan!

We are gonna be pretty busy this week. My husband works for the University of Central Oklahoma in the Wellness Center and they have their annual event called the Endeavor Games this week. On top of that my daughter has VBS this week too! So we are gonna be on the go a lot. I'm hoping we can get most of meals in that I have planned. What's going on this week for you?

Who's hungry? I'm linking up with Orgjunkie.com make sure you check out all the great menus there!

Monday  B- Cereal Bars

               L- Cheese Quesadillas and Fruit 

               D- Chicken Fried Rice

Tuesday  B- Pop Tarts

               L- Chicken Nuggets and Veggie Chips

               D- Dinner with our co-op friends at a Pool Party!

Wednesday  B- Waffles

                    L- Crackers, Cheese Sticks and Fruit

                    D- Salad

Thursday  B- Fruit and Yogurt

                L- PBJ's, Carrots, Fruit

                D- Spaghetti and Garlic Bread

Friday  B- Cinnamon Toast and Sausage

            L- Fruit Salad

            D- Pizza Night!

Saturday  B- Biscuits and Gravy

               L- Fish Sticks and Fries

               D-Leftovers

Sunday  B- Muffins

             L- Grilled Cheese and Veggies

             D- Chicken Mess, Rice and Rolls

Have a blessed week!

Chazown

Are you living your life on purpose? Do you have vision for your life? Are you doing what God designed you to do?

At my church Lifechurch.tv our Pastor, Craig Groeschel led us through a message series called Chazown several months back...which you can find here. It goes along with the Chazown book he wrote and you can find it here. I highly suggest reading the book and watching the message, it's life changing.

One aspect that I LOVE that LC.TV did was offer an opportunity for anyone to find their Chazown. They built a website that walks you through steps to find your Chazown. So what does Chazown actually mean? Pastor Craig says it means, from the Hebrew, meaning a dream, revelation, or vision. It's the Hebrew word for vision, and it's what God had in mind for you when you were created. Each of us is a masterpiece, placed on earth for a unique purpose that's solely ours to fulfill. By going through these exercises you will uncover God's dream for your life- your Chazown (directly taken from the website).

I went through this with my lifegroup and it was great, I loved every minute of it and it's opened my eyes to what God wants me to do with what he's given me. I fully believe my Chazown is to be home with my children where I can educate them and show/share Christs love to them.

Click here to begin your journey to find your Chazown. You will walk through your Past, Present, Future and Purpose. You will make a personal timeline and an action plan to fulfill your Chazown.You can also do this with a small group, makes for great accountability!

Let me know your thoughts!

Week 1 of Ruby Zebra Camp

This weeks theme is Family!

We have a lot of fun games, crafts, activities, field trips and books to read! Here's what we have done and will do this week.

Monday: Grocery Shopping as a family (not fun for most people but my kids loved going as a family)
               Family walk to the park. We walked a total of 2 miles
               Pinky had some one on one time with Warrior, and I had one on one time with Cobalt.

Tuesday: Beginning a Summer scrapbook
              Scavenger hunt around town
              Make a Family Tree
           
Wednesday: Field Trip to the Library (we go every other week, but we are going for specific books this time)
              Paint a family picture on canvas
              My kids are going to spend the evening with their grandparents    

Thursday: Field Trip to the Park with our Co-op friends
              Backyard putt putt game
              Make a birthday cake for me

Friday: Donuts with Mom
           Make family hand prints
           Play the game of Life
           The kids will also be spending some time with a sitter so my Warrior can take me out for my birthday.

Well that's our week! Can't wait to show pics in an update this weekend!